Ireland has passed an emergency drug law to close legal loophole which meant it was legal to possess drugs such as ecstasy.

Ireland emergency law closes 'legal drugs' loophole

The Irish parliament's passed an emergency law after other drugs in the same class including ketamine and crystal meth became legal on Tuesday after a court challenge.
The new legislation was officially be signed into law this afternoon, and comes into force at midnight

The Christmas and New Year holiday season will see drivers stopped by police and tested for drugs by the side of the road in a war on drug-driving.

The Telegraph has reported that the Home Office approved roadside testing kits that will analyse samples of saliva instantly to detect illegal substances as well as so-called "legal highs".

Police to test drivers with 'drugalyser' kits. Credit: PA

It said that police officers will also use the kits to catch drivers who have taken prescription medicines like strong painkillers, sleeping pills and drugs to treat anxiety, that can hinder concentration on the road.

It has been reported that ministers will order police to carry the "drugalyser" kits alongside conventional "breathalysers", which test motorists for alcohol consumption.

Officials said the review would examine how precision medicine and digital health technology could enable new products to be brought from the laboratory "as quickly and safely possible".

"This will transform the landscape of drug development from the 20th-century model to a world century model to a world in which the NHS becomes a partner in innovative testing, proving and adopting new drugs and devices in research studies with real patients," Mr Freeman told The Times.

"For too long NHS patients have seen drugs and innovations developed in the UK but not adopted here in our NHS.

"We are determined to unlock the power of our NHS to be a test-bed for the 21st-century medical innovations we all need, getting NHS patients faster access, reducing the cost of drug development and boosting our life science sector."